September 30, 2005

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, domestic violence affects the workplace when an abuser harasses an employee who is on the job, when a victim is absent because of injuries or less productive because of stress, or when violence occurs at the worksite. The MGH is committed to helping employees and patients who are experiencing abuse through a variety of resources that are always available. To recognize national Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the MGH will hold a series of events.

MGH Men Against Abuse, in collaboration with the MGH Domestic Violence Working Group, will sponsor a one-man, educational comedy called "Voices of Men," performed by Ben Atherton-Zeman, a spokesperson for the National Organization for Men Against Sexism. This program will take place Oct. 7, from 11:45 am to 1 pm in the Walcott Conference Rooms. Lunch will be served.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), in collaboration with the MGH Domestic Violence Working Group, will sponsor a panel discussion Oct. 20 "Domestic Violence Comes to Work: How Employees Who Batter Affect the Workplace." The panel will be comprised of Emily Rothman, assistant professor at Boston University School of Public Health; David Adams, executive director of Emerge, an abuser education organization; Donna Kausek, a domestic violence specialist for the EAP; and Matthew Thomas, of the Special Investigations Unit for MGH Police and Security. This program will take place from 11:45 am until 1 pm in the Thier Conference Room. Lunch will be served.

For additional information, contact Corinne Castro at (617) 726-8182, Kausek at (617) 726-8963 or Thomas at (617) 724-3838.